A summer staple! What are the surprising health benefits of barley tea?

Introduction

Mugicha, which is enjoyed by many people not only on hot days but also as a daily tea to hydrate them, is made by boiling or infusing roasted barley.

Barley tea is a tea characterized by its fragrant barley aroma and is often thought of as a summer drink, but it can also be enjoyed warm in the winter.

The reason it is considered a summer staple is that barley is harvested in early summer, and barley tea tastes particularly good in summer, which is why this image came about.

Barley tea contains almost no caffeine or tannins, so it can be safely consumed by people of all ages, from children to adults.

The types of barley commonly used for barley tea are Rokujo and Nijo.

Barley tea was also drunk by warlords during the Sengoku period

Barley tea has a very long history, with records showing that it was drunk by aristocrats during the Heian period and by military commanders during the Sengoku period.

During the Edo period, with the appearance of food stalls selling barley tea, it spread among the common people and became a standard summer drink.

After the Meiji period, barley tea spread throughout the country. This is said to be due to the development of railways and ships, which made it easier to transport barley.

Unlike today, hot barley tea was commonly consumed at the time. It is said that the habit of drinking "cold barley tea" as we know it today became widespread after the 1950s when refrigerators became widespread.

The main components of barley tea

1. Carbohydrates

Barley tea contains carbohydrates, which are used as an energy source in the body.

2. Dietary Fiber

Barley tea is also rich in dietary fiber, which helps regulate the intestinal environment, relieve constipation, and lower cholesterol levels.

3. Minerals

Barley tea is rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.

Potassium helps to excrete excess sodium from the body, and is effective in preventing high blood pressure and relieving swelling.

Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function and relieves fatigue, while calcium is an essential mineral for the formation of bones and teeth. Phosphorus plays an important role in energy metabolism and cell membrane formation.

4. Vitamins

Barley tea contains vitamin B and vitamin E.
B vitamins play an important role in energy metabolism and nervous system function.

Vitamin E has an antioxidant effect and is said to be effective in preventing aging and lifestyle-related diseases.

5. Other

Barley tea also contains ingredients such as polyphenols and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Polyphenols have antioxidant properties that lead to anti-aging, and are said to be effective in preventing arteriosclerosis and cancer.

GABA is a type of neurotransmitter in the brain that is said to have a relaxing and stress-reducing effect, as well as maintaining skin elasticity and improving sleep quality.

The amazing health benefits of barley tea

As mentioned above, barley tea is rich in various ingredients and has many beneficial effects on the body.

In addition to the above, the water-soluble dietary fiber beta-glucan contained in barley is said to have the effect of lowering cholesterol and post-meal blood sugar levels.

In addition, the aromatic component of barley tea, alkylpyrazine, is said to improve blood flow and prevent arteriosclerosis. It is expected to have the effect of suppressing blood pressure rise and blood clot formation.

Furthermore, barley tea has the effect of suppressing the production of Streptococcus mutans, which induces tooth decay, making it ideal for preventing tooth decay.

Drinking barley tea before going to bed makes it harder for cavity-causing bacteria to attach to your teeth. Barley tea does not contain tannins, so there is no need to worry about staining your teeth, and you can safely enjoy it as a way to hydrate after brushing your teeth.

summary

What do you think? I'm sure there are many people who didn't know that barley tea has such great health benefits.

How about a hot drink like Yamamotoyama's Rokujo Mugicha, which is great in summer and winter too?